Introduction: The Forces Behind The Force

"Stars Wars" had little hype behind it but it opened with a bang in May of 1977.

When Star Wars was released May 25, 1977 by 20th Century Fox, it only opened in a handful of theaters across the country. Many involved in the film had no idea what they had, and couldn't see Lucas's vision until the entire puzzle was complete. As one former Fox executive recalled, Lucas recreated the world he remembered from his childhood when he went to Saturday matinees. In the process, he took the magic and wonder of those Saturday matinees to an all-new level that ultimately changed the movie business.

Star Wars was a film that broke new ground in special effects and sound design, not to mention how movies were marketed and merchandized. Before Star Wars, sci-fi films didn't "cross over" or appeal to audiences beyond fans of the genre. Star Wars was also the first film that promoted itself at sci-fi conventions, an idea that initially faced strong opposition from the studios, yet is now common practice. Of course, this is just scratching the surface of the impact and influence the film has had since its 1977 release.

How hard was it to make "Star Wars"? Why were the executives at 20th Century Fox, as well as other Hollywood studios, skeptical of the movie?

Why did "Star Wars" only open on a few dozen screens when it premiered in 1977? How were the special effects created in a pre-CGI era? What changes to the story were demanded by Fox? And when did Lucas and company know they had a hit?

For the answers, and to celebrate the 30th anniversary of "Star Wars," Tom's Games talked to a number of people who worked on the film and helped Lucas realize his vision. Here are their "Star Wars" memories in their own words.

Join our discussion on this topic